This move to incorporate the reusable fuels made from crops such as maize and sugar cane has sparked controversy.

While the Department for Transport has said the Renewable Transport Fuel Obligation is good news for the environment and aims to raise the target to 5 per cent by 2010, green organisation Friends of the Earth has attacked the move.

The pressure group's main objection lies in its belief that biofuels actually have a negative impact on the environment.

“Although the move aims to reduce reliance on fossil fuels and cut carbon emissions, new scientific evidence shows that the growth in biofuels could actually increase greenhouse gas emissions through land conversion and greater use of chemical fertilisers,” said a spokesman.

The DfT has claimed to have taken such factors into account, with transport minister Jim Fitzpatrick saying: “We must do all we can to ensure biofuels are produced sustainably. We know people are concerned about the environmental risks associated with expanding biofuel production and we take those concerns very seriously.”

Fitzpatrick said the DfT wants to introduce mandatory standards as soon as possible to ensure biofuels do not cause deforestation or food shortages.

A survey conducted for Friends of the Earth by YouGov found that three-quarters of Britons aware of the situation would prefer the government to curb emissions by improving public transport or making cars greener.

Friends of the Earth biofuels campaigner Kenneth Richter said: “People want to see real green transport solutions that will make a difference to their lives – like better public transport and smarter cars that burn less fuel.

“It's now up to the government to set us on the right track.”